Vandals spray KKK, N-word on apartment doors for third time

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AURORA, Colo. -- Officers are stepping up patrols in an Aurora apartment complex after vandals tagged KKK and the N-word on residents' doors for the third time.

The criminals targeted black residents and interracial couples. In addition to the spray-painting on the three doors, the perpetrators also left notes that read "Watch Ya Back Ya Stupid (N-word), - KKK."

The first incident happened at the Sonoma Resort at Saddle Rock apartments in November. The criminals spray-painted the racial slurs and left a threatening note.

A few days later, the same resident was targeted again. The crimes prompted the Aurora Police Department to hold a news conference.

Police Chief Nick Metz said hate crimes have been on the rise since the election. In total, five doors have been vandalized at the apartment complex.

One victim, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation from the criminals, said the crimes are hurtful and terrifying.

"The note was really scary because it makes it feel like it's not just a bunch of kids playing around, like watch your back," the victim said.

The victim didn't know he had been targeted until Aurora police knocked on his door. He said after meeting with police, he shut the door and cried.

"Honestly, I fell down. Fell to the ground and bawling like a little baby because that has never happened to me before," the victim said.

Daniel Harrison was also targeted Sunday morning. He said he's not intimidated by the message.

"I am not afraid of someone who hates a different race. It's not my makeup," Harrison said. "It's 2016 and we can't, we still can't get along? That's really, that's their problem."

Kati Read also lives at the complex. She's concerned that the criminals are also targeting interracial couples. She hopes her home isn't next.

"This has gone a little too far now that people are feeling unsafe and threatened in their own home," Read said.

The apartment's property maintenance workers sprayed white spray paint on the doors Sunday to blur out the words. One victim hopes they do more.

"This make me feel tagged. This isn't what I thought would happen. I want the door back to how it's supposed to look," the victim said.

Police are stepping up patrols. A spokesman for the department said it's a top priority for investigators.